Qin Dynasty: Becoming a peerless master through the Golden Light Mantra

Although Han Che was slightly unsettled by Yan Lingji's sudden departure, his life remained as regular as before.

After finishing my daily tasks, I meditate and cultivate myself. When I get tired, I rest for a while.

Although it was very boring, that's how he got through the years.

However, Han Che's residence welcomed a guest the very next day—Zhang Liang.

In the backyard pavilion, Zhang Liang, who was brought in by the guards, bowed to Han Che and said, "Eleventh Young Master."

"Zifang, please sit down."

Han Che gestured for Zhang Liang to sit down in front of him.

After sitting down, Zhang Liang stated his purpose: "Although I escaped unharmed at the General's Mansion yesterday, I dare not forget the Eleventh Young Master's kindness, so I have come to visit you today."

Looking at Zhang Liang, who was polite and gentle like a piece of warm jade, Han Che smiled.

At this time, Zhang Liang had not yet experienced so many things.

Although he sometimes plays small pranks, he generally maintains a gentlemanly demeanor, giving people a pleasant and welcoming feeling.

Being with someone like that is truly a very enjoyable experience.

Immediately afterwards, Han Che replied, "Zifang, yesterday was nothing more than a small favor for me, there's no need to worry about it."

"If South Korea were to lose a pillar of society like you, it would be a truly great loss."

"Compared to Liang, the Eleventh Prince is the most important person in Korea. Like the Ninth Prince, the Eleventh Prince is a person with great ambitions and the ability to change Korea."

Han Che didn't say anything about Zhang Liang's self-deprecation and flattery, but instead took the opportunity to steer the conversation towards Han Fei.

"Speaking of Ninth Brother, Zifang, how much do you know about his work, 'Five Vermin'?"

If South Korea wants to truly become strong, it must undergo reform.

Although Shen Buhai's reforms improved the situation in Korea and achieved some centralization, the Korean monarchs were too focused on the Legalist "techniques" and liked to maintain a balance of power in the court.

Before the ghost soldiers robbed the supplies, Ji Wuye and Zhang Kaidi were mutually restraining.

Ji Wuye's ghost soldiers' robbery of supplies disrupted this balance, and he even planned to eliminate Zhang Kaidi.

In this situation, Han Fei returned.

He helped Zhang Kaidi resolve the crisis and, as a prince of Han, assumed the position of Minister of Justice, restoring the court to its former balance.

"I am fortunate to have read the works of the Ninth Master. His Five Vermin are full of gems and contain profound truths about humanity."

Han Che nodded slightly upon hearing this.

He then continued, "What do you think would happen if Ninth Brother were to implement reforms in Korea based on the Five Vermin?"

Zhang Liang remained silent.

If the Ninth Prince were to implement reforms in Korea based on the Five Vermin, he would face unimaginable resistance.

"Five Vermin" is indeed a masterpiece, but putting this masterpiece into practice is extremely difficult.

The law shows no mercy.

That's easier said than done.

But humans are not plants or trees; how can they be without feelings?

Han Che continued, "I don't know if Ninth Brother is aware of these things, but the reforms in Han cannot be like those in Qin."

While the Qin state did possess a very strong war mobilization capability under the support of Qin law, the people of Qin lived in dire straits under the torment of Qin law, and fought for Qin under the coercion of Qin law.

However, the people are like the river; water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.

Zhang Liang nodded and replied, "What the Eleventh Young Master says makes sense."

Han Che's words were quoted from the sayings of Xunzi, a great Confucian scholar of our time.

He also highly recognized some of Xunzi's academic ideas.

At this moment, Han Che suddenly smiled and said, "Since Zifang agrees with my statement, I hope that Zifang can grant me one request."

Zhang Liang's heart skipped a beat.

Immediately afterwards, his handsome face was filled with fear: "Eleventh Young Master, I'm afraid I can't do what you've said."

This involves a debate over academic philosophies.

During this period, disputes over academic philosophies can even lead to fatalities.

Han Che gently shook his head, reassuring Zhang Liang: "Zifang, the things I ask you to do won't be too difficult for you. If you can't do them, you don't have to. Besides, Ninth Brother isn't the kind of person who's unreasonable."

As long as we appeal to his emotions and reason with him, I believe Ninth Brother will definitely understand our good intentions.

Although Zhang Liang was still very uneasy upon hearing this, he could accept the outcome.

Moreover, this is done for the sake of South Korea.

"Then let me first hear what the Eleventh Young Master wants me to do."

Seeing that Zhang Liang no longer declined, Han Che immediately said, "I am not very good at reform matters, so I will definitely hand it over to Ninth Brother to take full charge, and Zifang, you will most likely be Ninth Brother's assistant."

Zhang Liang nodded slightly.

Judging from the current situation, this will most likely be the case in the future.

"Therefore, I hope that you, Zifang, can remind Ninth Brother more during the reform process, and also keep me informed so that we can work together to make the reform in Korea as perfect as possible."

After listening to Han Che's explanation, Zhang Liang immediately relaxed.

If that's the case, he can do it.

"I understand what the Eleventh Prince has instructed me to do."

Han Che smiled upon hearing this, and relaxed completely: "Then I'll leave this matter to Zifang. Only you, Zifang, can put my mind at ease."

In this way, he wouldn't have to worry too much about the reforms.

Although harsh measures are necessary in chaotic times, one of the seven states, Qin, has already done so.

If South Korea blindly tries to emulate the Qin state at this time, it will only end up with a hybrid that is neither fish nor fowl.

The reason is simple: the national conditions of Qin and Han were different.

Moreover, he already had another solution in mind regarding the mobilization capacity at the grassroots level.

As long as the farmers are won over, South Korea's ability to mobilize the grassroots will not be weaker than that of the Qin state under tyranny.

In this situation, he could, like King Wu of Zhou conquering King Zhou of Shang, use benevolent governance to counter tyranny.

Moreover, one day in the future, his benevolent rule will, like that of Emperor Gaozu of Han (Liu Bang), directly dismantle the Qin state's control over the grassroots.

After the fall of the six kingdoms, the remaining elders of those kingdoms all dreamed of restoring their kingdoms.

But the Qin state was different. After the Qin state was destroyed, no one in Qin thought about restoring it.

At that time, he could have taken over the entire territory of Qin and implemented the policy of replacing Qin with Han.

This process is not difficult.

Because there were already many Han forces within the Qin state itself.

Although those Korean forces are currently being suppressed because of the Chang'an Jun Chengjiao incident, their foundations remain intact.

Zhang Liang immediately felt a heavy responsibility on his shoulders.

However, he did not object to it.

Although his power is still weak, he is happy to do his part for South Korea.

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Liang stood up and bowed to Han Che, saying, "Thank you for your trust, Eleventh Young Master. I will not let you down and will definitely assist the Ninth Young Master in handling the reform of Han State in the future."